Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has explained why Argentina superstar Lionel Messi remains ahead of his former Red Devils teammate Cristiano Ronaldo – who recently described the Englishman as a "rat" – as the best player ever.
The debate over who the greatest footballer in history is has taken a new dimension following Argentina's 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph on Sunday, with many now believing that this firmly establishes Messi as the best footballer of his generation ahead of long-time rival Ronaldo.
Read: Messi's extra-time goal 'should've been disallowed'
The pair have dominated the sport for well over a decade, sharing 12 Ballons d'Or between them, and they are the only two players to have won the prestigious individual accolade more than three times.
They are also the only active players to have scored 700 goals or more in their careers.
The former El Clasico heroes had contrasting World Cups in Qatar, however, with the ex-Real Madrid marksman starting only three matches and scoring just once in the competition, while the former FC Barcelona No. 10 was named the Player of the Tournament with seven goals and three assists.
While Messi performed remarkably at the showpiece, Rooney recently recalled a 2012 social media post in which he claimed the Albiceleste star was the greatest player ever.
The Englishman reiterated his sentiment last week by adding to the original post on Twitter the words: "Nothing has changed."
Nothing has changed. ???????? https://t.co/j5GjcKto13
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) December 14, 2022
Some have suggested that the latest comment is a dig at Ronaldo for his recent criticism of Rooney during his now-infamous interview with Piers Morgan in November, during which the Portugal captain claimed he looks better than the DC United head coach described as a "rat".
Rooney has since denied this, however, and explained why he feels the Argentine still trumps the Portuguese.
"Some took that [tweet] as a put-down to Cristiano Ronaldo but nothing could be further from the truth," he wrote in a column for The Times.
"I have the greatest respect for Cristiano and when people argue he is the greatest, I know where they are coming from and respect that opinion.
"But, for me, Messi is just different.
"I played against him several times and it's his ability to take and hold the ball, to control games, run at players, pass and score, and be the difference.
"Close up, you just can't get near him. He is always in control.
Read: 'Ronaldo is the big flop of the 2022 World Cup'
"If he has the ball at his feet, he determines everything, your decision-making included.
"Being his opponent is a difficult place to be."
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